Today's letters: Former governor general Adrienne Clarkson should stop double-dipping

Saturday, Nov. 3: Readers aren't impressed with Adrienne Clarkson's current expenses. They also have suggestions for the school board. You can write to us on these or other topics, at: letters@ottawacitizen.com

Then-Governor general Adrienne Clarkson and her husband John Ralston Saul share a few words as they applaud entertainers during her Installation as Governor General in Ottawa Oct 7, 1999. Jonathan Hayward / Jonathan Hayward, Ottawa Sun

It is very upsetting to see this former governor general still taking taxpayer dollars to augment her career. Adrienne Clarkson leads a life of entitlement that far too few Canadians could ever imagine.

It is high time for this profligate spender to be cut off, and for the rules regarding spending (for retired officials) to be changed. She is double-dipping at our expense and has no clue as to how this sits with Canadians.

This is another reason why Canada should be a Republic.

Nancy Borsk, Ottawa

Clarkson’s a true study in public spending

What a relief it is to know that our former representative of the Queen has a charitable institution named the “Institute for Canadian Citizenship.” I hope the Institute’s activities include the promotion of respect for Canadian taxpayers and that Adrienne Clarkson’s frugality with respect to her ongoing claims on the public treasury are used as a model for discussion purposes.

Frank LeClair, Ottawa

What about other former governors general?

The articles by Brian Platt and John Ivison about Adrienne Clarkson’s spending are very interesting; however, I would like to see some context.

Since the inception of the program, there have been seven past governors general, including three (other than Clarkson) who are still alive. What has their spending been? If it pales in comparison, then I might be horrified. But until then I will be skeptical that her spending deserves the attention and outrage the authors seems to believe there should be.

Elaine Cawadias, Ottawa

Time to revisit the vice-regal position

Two birds, one stone.

The time is ripe and right to take a good look at ending the job of Governor General of Canada. Life would go on without a GG, a lot of Canadian tax dollars would be saved, and the GG’s house, Rideau Hall, could replace 24 Sussex Drive as the official residence of the prime minister.

That would also stop the dithering of what to do with the old wreck that used to house the prime minister.

Joe Spence, Ottawa

She must have needed that coffee

Is Adrienne Clarkson not the same person who, as chair of the board of trustees of the Canadian Museum of Civilization from 1995 to 1999, at one time submitted an expense claim to the government for the purchase of a cup of coffee? Is this her modus operandi?

A forensic audit should now be conducted as to how this ex-governor general spent this $100,000 each year. Where did our money go?

Canadians deserve answers to these questions. Anything less flies in the face of financial accountability and transparency.

I was disturbed by the Citizen report of the Ottawa Carleton District School Board’s apparent move away from the model, which I support, of providing specialized programs for students with exceptional needs.

I have seen first-hand with my children how well programs for gifted students help them shine because of, not in spite of, their gifts. Surely, keeping such students at OCDSB schools should remain a priority focus for the OCDSB.

I have also spent time at Featherston Drive Public School and learned how the specialized program there for students living with autism is tailored to their needs and abilities in an effective and sensitive manner.

Let the OCDSB set an example of enlightened programming and best practices that encourage exceptional students to do their best and which do not discourage them through one-size-fits-all classrooms.

J.C. Sulzenko, Ottawa

Gifted students and libraries belong together

I wonder if any thought has been given to the idea of the schools’ gifted students using the city’s many libraries. It’s an idea that could start small, and hopefully grow.

So-called gifted students are often interested in a subject that bears no exact relationship to those of the designated curriculum. But they are almost single-minded in pursuit of a subject that interests them.

Ottawa’s citizens are luckier than most in having so many libraries, both public and in its universities. What a marvellous experiment if these “gifted” students, instead of being hived off to a special classroom, could go off as curious citizens (instead of citizens in waiting} to a library of choice, and with the help of staff, prepare their own work on their subject of choice.

It’s fair to say that at first they might abuse/misuse their freedom. Who wouldn’t be excited? But should the misuse continue for an unreasonable time, back they would go to the confines of the classroom.

Were I a teacher, I would love to debate this idea with my class. Objections at first. And then?

Helen Deachman, Ottawa

The challenges of being a ‘Rhodes student’

At different points in my school career, I attended both a regular school and one with a significant number of gifted students. At my primary school in Toronto, there was no separation of academically above-average students or those with special talents. Some teachers compensated for this by giving gifted students special reading or allowing them to study part-time on their own. I imagine that is similar to the skills required of earlier rural teachers who sometimes taught multiple grades in one classroom.

I attended a high school which had an entrance exam and selective admissions. Among its graduates are several Rhodes Scholars and two Nobel Prize winners. I am not aware of my primary school producing any Rhodes Scholars but it did produce one famous NHL coach who won multiple Stanley Cups (no longer a common feat in Toronto) and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. I have no idea whether he was gifted.

While I was in school I lived on Rhodes Avenue in Toronto. I have always been proud of being a Rhodes student even though I was never a Rhodes Scholar. The selective high school experience was quite challenging but for many students it provided significant academic inspiration.

I recall my teaching of various novels and dramas in Manitoba. I relied on two features in the text.

One was a complete introduction to the novel or play, which gave background, recent perspectives, even critical commentary, so that students were given a grounding that helped us understand the experience of the novel itself.

The second important feature was the series of questions to be discussed and written about at the end of the novel. Often, this was presented on a chapter by chapter basis.

These helpful features were useful not only when teaching To Kill A Mockingbird, but I recall how both features were helpful when I taught Juno and the Paycock, a play about the terrible wars in Ireland.

I would suggest to Ontario teachers that if your textbooks don’t have such features, you do some research, make copies and hand these out as preparatory papers to your students.

Jim Deacove, Perth

It’s not just pot that’s putrid

Re: Letter, Bylaw needed to curb pot fumes, Oct. 31.

Let’s add noxious and toxic smells from scented laundry soap and fabric softener to the list. I’ve had to go indoors to take refuge from these while in my backyard.

Do people not realize that these products are unhealthy? Perhaps our government environment and health agencies can team up to mitigate the harm from these pollutants?

I wanted to express my appreciation for Roland Paris’s piece on the neglected historical portage site on the Ottawa River. The article was informative and passionate.

Although the mighty Ottawa has gained recognition as an important heritage river, we must continue to push for the full appreciation and renewal of all its assets and historic treasures.

Pete Fox, Ottawa

NAC, pay rent for this land

Re: Here’s why land acknowledgements are both meaningless and patronizing, Oct. 27.

The author of this piece has done us a service by speaking out against this silly, annoying and offensive mantra about saying we are on unceded First Nations land, at National Arts Centre and other productions, before performances begin. It makes me squirm in my seat every time and I assume, as he points out, that for First Nations people it is condescending and patronizing.

I have a suggestion for the NAC and other organizations that currently subject their audiences to this thing: Contact the relevant First Nation representatives, make a rental arrangement, pay them for the use of the land you consider is theirs, add the cost to our tickets, tell the audiences you’ve done that, and stop bothering us with your guilt trip.

Robert Applebaum, Ottawa

Enough with the virtue-signalling

I want to applaud Patrick Mascoe’s column. I have had occasion to endure pronouncements about my being on “unceded (fill in the blanks) territory” at events from book readings to university lectures. Each time I am left puzzled as to what purpose is being served by these gestures. To shame the audience? To make the speaker in question appear righteous?

As for the notion of “reconciliation,” that term has unfortunately become nothing more than a catchphrase by both governments and advocacy organizations to justify anything that suits their particular agenda – no matter how poorly considered.

As a citizen I am not responsible for all the ills of the historical past. Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau said it best: The purpose of a government is to be “just in our time.” Clean water, decent housing, education, employment – these are tangible demonstrations of a just society when it comes to Indigenous citizens of Canada. Smug virtue-signalling declarations are not.

Thank you for this story about how the first significant international incident of the Cold War took place in Ottawa. Since 2003, Dundonald Park on Somerset Street has had two commemorative plaques from the federal and municipal governments which tell the dramatic story and express the gratitude of the Canadian people for the warning Igor Gouzenko and his wife, Svetlana, provided about Soviet covert activities and the vulnerability of our national security.

With respect to making previously secret documents public, can the intelligence community shed any light on what happened to prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King’s missing diaries from that period?

Andrew Kavchak, Ottawa

(Editor’s note: Andrew Kavchak is the author of: Remembering Gouzenko: The Struggle to Honour a Cold War Hero, which is available in the Ottawa Public Library.)

Why these two football teams are so great

I wanted to share a great story about two football teams, the Ottawa RedBlacks and Carleton Ravens, who took the time to make my son feel special.

While at the RedBlacks game on Oct. 19, Ewan received a game ball which was caught by a Carleton Raven, #85 Phil Iloki. After catching the ball, Phil turned to Ewan and offered him the ball. It was a really kind gesture that our 12-year-old son will never forget. He was even on TV clutching his ball. As a Carleton Alumni, I was proud to see this CU student and football player exemplify such kindness and generosity.

Ewan has a severe speech and language disorder called Childhood Apraxia of Speech. He has come a long way since the diagnosis at two years old but he still faces challenges with communication every day. Nights like this make him feel like he’s king of the world and for that I can’t thank people like Phil enough.

After the game, I emailed the coaches of the RedBlacks and the Ravens to thank them for a great night. Both teams responded with offers to come to a RedBlacks practice, a Ravens playoff game and another RedBlacks game. Ewan also received two game balls with signatures and was able to throw the ball around with the players. These gestures meant so much to my son and our family. He is a football fan for life now.

We live in a town with some great athletes who know how to share their success with fans and I wanted to spotlight these kind acts from our local football heroes.

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